Chapter 5

Forever

Previously: With every step Kienskae seemed to be moving farther and farther away from himself, until there was no remorse left. In his heart he knew he must bring her back, but this was what she wanted.

As Kienskae ran, he thought. Mostly he tried to block it all out, but he was too weak. His physical state was perfectly fine, a two day run was nothing to him. It was his mental state that was breaking. It took all his personal strength to resist turning around, sprinting as fast as he could to the castle, and burying himself in Kagome's hair. If he wasn't as strong as he was, he would have already cracked. Yet Kienskae continued on.

Kagome had slept most of the time, muffled sobs common in her dreams. Or nightmares. Her frail body would shake as each cry echoed throughout her body. But Kienskae could not comfort her. The feeling of her cradling in his arms would only make him defy her orders to go to Kaede's. He would always pretend like he couldn't hear her, but each painful sob broke him inside. How it hurt him to see Kagome in such a state.

As Kienskae continued on, he looked up at the sky, as he often did. It was the twilight of their second day of travel, and Kienskae observed the sadness this hour brought. Twilight, when you were never sure if the sun would ever return. Of course, it would always come after the night, but the as the spectacular sunset fades into dark twilight it looked as if it was just giving up. Like the sun suddenly ran out of determination. Seeing the sun so weak made you wonder if it would ever come back. Twilight is the time when sorrows breed. Twilight, when insecurities thrive and fear hangs as a mist.

In a way, Kienskae thought that this could be Kagome's twilight. Those images had broke her. She was not the same young woman that Sesshomaru-sama had brought back before. This was not the bright, carefree girl he knew. Kagome was shattered. And when she got overtaken by the darkness he was bringing her to, it would be his fault. Kienskae was not sure if he could live with that guilt. He sighed. It was all because he was too damn weak to resist her pleas. How could she do that, manipulate his thoughts and such? How is it her sobs break him more than her?

Kienskae mentally slapped himself. This can't be Kagome's twilight! She was far to strong to succumb to this...Right? Kagome knew what was good for her. At least...Kienskae was pretty sure she was. Soon the doubts had surrounded him. He was falling, falling, falling...Until he let emotion thrive within him. For that one second, he let his carefully composed barrier crack. Suddenly his eyes grew bright and he let out a snarl. Just let the darkness try to come get Kagome, his sun, and overtake her! He would never let go! Kienskae was bloodthirsty for revenge against whatever had broken Kagome. She was his, damn it! Alas...this is when reality hit poor Kienskae. He had no say in her life. He was just a useless servant. He shouldn't care so much. It shouldn't have been so hard to resist her orders. Kienskae was especially trained to obey. So why can't he just accept this order and move on?

He finally decided to shut down his emotions. He could not afford to crack again. Besides, this would numb his pain. The dead look veiled his eyes once more, and his soul grew cold within. All thought process shut down. He was now machine, run and obey. Accept orders and follow them. Never waver from the target. Never hear your heart. Always stare ahead, for there's no turning back now. Resistance is useless. Run and obey.

Sesshomaru was pacing, something he rarely did. The look of pure concentration on his face was enough to keep most servants away. They all figured it must be some business issue bothering him. All except one.

An old, motherly servant crouched by the door. She was a cat demon with orange hair and piercing green eyes. Her hair still had a distinctive shine to it, and it flowed down to her waist. She knew something was up. She had been Sesshomaru's caretaker ever since he was a pup. This woman seemed to be the only one who could determine his emotions, and she would get to the bottom of it. She walked into the room, bowed, and stared at Sesshomaru.

"What is it Aieada?" he said in a tired tone. His golden eyes searched her green ones for some explanation of her random appearance.

Aieada stepped forward and meowed, "What is wrong Sesshy-kun? Something's up, and I hate to see you so distressed." She gave Sesshomaru a pleading look, urging him to talk to her.

"I am not distressed," said the Lord icily, "And there is nothing wrong." He swiftly turned his back to her and continued pacing. A normal servant would have ran away right there and then, but Aieada stayed. She knew how conservative Sesshomaru got when his mother died. Icy remarks could not fool her.

"It was that girl wasn't it?" Aieada said in a far off tone. She didn't look directly at him, knowing her gaze would make him lie again. Aieada wanted truth. She tactfully kept her gaze on the bedspreads that needed washing as she waited.

Sesshomaru sighed. Carefully staring down at his paperwork he said, "The girl…confuses me. She's not like the other filthy humans. Maybe it's because she's miko…..," Sesshomaru trailed off, he was even confusing himself now.

He looked up at Aieada and said, "What do you suggest I do?"

Aieada pondered for a moment and then said, "If something ever interests you, you must always pursue it. Observe her Sesshomaru, figure out what makes her different." With that she got up and left with the bed sheets.

"Pursue my interests..," Sesshomaru murmured. He then stopped in his tracks and looked at his reflection in a glass. There he saw a confused youkai staring back at him. Aieada's advice had always helped him before. This time should be no different then right?

"The things I do," Sesshomaru said quietly. Then he turned and walked out the balcony, a new quest before him.

InuYasha was still sitting in the God Tree. As the wind played around with his hair, his claw ran over a marking on the tree. It was a heart, with a small 'I' and 'K' inside of it. Kagome said something about in her time it was used to show love.

"See, now we'll be together forever," her voice vibrated through his head.

That day, Kagome had sat in this very spot in his lap. That day, they had been carefree souls entwined in the fragile web of love. Kagome had rested her head against his chest, and he had wrapped his arms around her. They stayed that way for awhile until Kagome had broken the silence.

"I love you InuYasha," Kagome whispered, "And I always will, no matter what."

"Kagome, I," InuYasha started. Kagome had put a petite finger to his lips.

"Please InuYasha," she had pleaded, "If only for this moment, be mine."

InuYasha had been taken aback by her interpretation of his motions. How could she believe Kikyo held his heart? InuYasha placed Kagome's hand in his. InuYasha stared down at the hands, enjoying the feeling of hers within his. He looked up into her chocolate pools.

"Kagome," he said passionately, "I always have and always will be yours."

He saw the shock cross her face, but before she could say anything he crashed his lips down upon hers. InuYasha pushed all his love and passion into that kiss. He put his whole self into that. Kagome had put her arms up around his neck to deepen the kiss. She had been putting her love into it too. Her fiery lips had filled his soul. InuYasha found it was much different than the time he kissed Kikyo. Kikyo had been cold and hard beneath his lips. Kagome's lips were warm, soft, and immensely sweet. InuYasha could not get enough of her. The same had been for Kagome too. The moment would forever be etched in their hearts. They broke away from that passionate moment gasping for air.

"Oh, InuYasha," Kagome had murmured, "Never leave me."

"Don't worry Kagome," InuYasha said huskily, "I already promised I'm forever yours."

That was how they sat for innumerable hours. For that moment their souls had merged and all walls were knocked down. For that moment, only passion for each other emanated off them. For that moment, InuYasha believed they would be that way forever.

"Some forever," InuYasha murmured looking at the heart carved into the bark. His clawed hand traced over those few lines that had caused so much.

Suddenly InuYasha shifted his position. A scent was approaching him. Well, not him directly actually. It was aiming a little more towards the village. InuYasha relaxed his posture and thought nothing of it. It was some leopard demon by the smell of it. He chuckled at how tense he became at the scent. It was as if he was expecting the scent to bring something important, but it was probably nothing to do with him. InuYasha leaned back against the tree and closed his eyes, relaxed. A soft wind blew through his hair once more.

InuYasha's eyes snapped open. This smell was new. InuYasha didn't know how he could have missed it earlier. Sniffing the air deeply again he recognized the scent and grimaced. For riding upon the leopard scent was another. It could only be described as the scent of sakura blossoms and morning dew. It was the scent that brought this upon him.

"Kagome," InuYasha whispered.

"Are you Kaede?" a dull sounding voice echoed from the hut entrance.

"Aye, what is it you want?" Kaede said in a bored tone. She was used to having travelers come to her hut. After all, she was younger sister to the high priestess Kikyo. Kaede looked up from her work at the traveler. What she saw made her immediately run to the entrance.

"Kagome!" she gasped, "What has happened to her?" Kaede was ushering Kienskae towards the bed and had him lay Kagome down.

"Quickly!" Kaede exclaimed, "If she is poisoned I'll need you to fetch-" Kaede was cut off by a sigh from the demon.

"She is not poisoned, she is sleeping," Kienskae said in his same tone, "She has requested to be brought here to see him." Every word looked like is was causing this demon extreme pain. You could tell that beneath his face he wanted to cry. Kaede could tell this demon was strong.

"Who is it she wanted to see?" Kaede questioned him. Surely saying a name could not make this any worse……..?

"InuYasha," Kienskae whispered in a voice ridden with pain. It looked as though he'd grab up Kagome and take her away from that name. It was as if that name could kill the angel sleeping on the bed before him. The demon seemed to tear apart on the inside when he said this name. With that brief flare of emotion over, he turned and made his way to the door.

"Please, take care of her," his hurt voice sounded from the door. After that being said, he jumped up and stared running with such speed, it looked as though he'd being doing it his whole life. And to Kienskae, that was how it felt.

InuYasha sat frozen in his tree. Seriously, what was he supposed to do? Go up to Kagome and scream at her? Embrace her? Cry before her and beg her to return?

None of those were right. He wanted to hurt her, and at the same time he wanted to save her. He wanted to curse her, yet he yearned to have her frame in his arms once more with feathery lips beneath his own….

Why did Kagome come back? Why couldn't she just leave and quit messing him up? Where did she get the nerve to help Naraku, the pure incarnation of hell, and then waltz back to the village like nothing happened? InuYasha grimaced at the memory of her spirit sending. She had turned so cold against him. Naraku had probably given her flesh already for being such a good little puppet. How cute.

Wait, did he just regret Kagome coming back? He was supposed to be Kagome's forever! How could he turn his back on a promise like that? He ran his hands through his silver hair in frustration. This was tearing him apart. He needed to do something drastic. If he didn't he was sure he'd snap.

The leopard scent slowly slipped away, but Kagome's scent remained behind. He sighed, caught up in his thoughts. What was he supposed to do? Was this what fate intended? Holding InuYasha captive in pain and memory? Why should he have to suffer this? Why not the one who sold themselves to Naraku!

InuYasha's head bowed. Now he was wishing harm upon Kagome. This was stupid. Kagome was a pure soul and always would be. Unless….Naraku has his way with her. InuYasha ground his teeth, now he was back at the start.

'Oh Kagome,' he thought, 'how could you change so much?'

The decision was now made. InuYasha would go to Kagome. He didn't exactly understand what he was to get out of it, but that didn't matter now. He'd let the chips fall where they may. Hopefully, fate wouldn't conspire against him again. He doubted they'd show sympathy for him. InuYasha jumped out of the tree and made his way towards the village.

"Kagome," InuYasha begged in desperation, "Please……."

He squeezed his claws into his hands out of frustration.

"I still love you."

A/N -Hi guys...hope this chapter is to your liking!

Guess what? I got a new computer! YAY! WOOHOO! I think I can update more that once a month now! Wow! I hope people are still reading this because I have a big secret coming up next chapter. Ever wonder what Sesshy's "quest" is? I dreamt the whole next chapter once.

Next Chapter: Kagome and InuYasha collide, and sparks fly. Sesshy makes his grand appearance and the meltdown is on! Yay!